]]>Italian firm celebrates its 70th year with up-specced 595 and 124 models
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Seventy years after Carlo Abarth started the company, Abarth has announced the introduction of a new 70th Anniversary range for 2019, spanning across all the models the Turin marque currently offers.

The new cars feature 70th Anniversary badging on the exterior, alongside a selection of historically named colours as a nod to the firm’s rally wins. Turini 1975 White, Costa Brava 1972 Red, San Marino 1972 Black, Hessen 1972 Blue and Alpi Orientali 1974 Grey will all be available. Every Abarth registered in 2019 will receive the touches, from the entry-level 145bhp 595, via the 180bhp 595 Competizione, to the 124 Spider and GT.

With 10 world records, 133 international records and more than 10,000 victories to its name, racing is undoubtedly a large part of Abarth’s DNA. As a nod to this, the new range was unveiled at the opening of the 87th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally earlier this month, a rally the brand saw success at in 1980.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/abarth-announces-new-70th-anniversary-range-for-2019/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/01/Abarth-announces-new-70th-Anniversary-1-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegOur picks from the RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th Anniversary auctionhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/our-picks-from-the-rm-sothebys-porsche-70th-anniversary-auction/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/our-picks-from-the-rm-sothebys-porsche-70th-anniversary-auction/#respondTue, 09 Oct 2018 06:30:32 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=127258956, Dakar 959 and Kremer 935 star at a special Porsche-themed sale in Atlanta From one-off Porsche 993 Turbos to record-setting lap times in the Porsche 919 Evo, you won’t have failed to notice that Porsche is 70 this year. In addition to Porsche’s own celebrations, the anniversary is being celebrated by RM Sotheby’s with a special auction […]

]]>956, Dakar 959 and Kremer 935 star at a special Porsche-themed sale in Atlanta

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From one-off Porsche 993 Turbos to record-setting lap times in the Porsche 919 Evo, you won’t have failed to notice that Porsche is 70 this year.

In addition to Porsche’s own celebrations, the anniversary is being celebrated by RM Sotheby’s with a special auction at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, Georgia on October 27 2018. The Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction is entirely dedicated to the sports car firm, from pristine examples of the company’s road and race cars to associated memorabilia.

It’s clear RM Sotheby’s is expecting some big numbers on the day, with some huge estimates on some of the cars. Some of those numbers are unavoidable in our own selection, but below you’ll find our pick of the more interesting cars crossing the block later this month.

1983 Porsche 956 Group C

It’s no surprise to find a 956 commanding the highest estimate in Atlanta, at $5.25m-$6.75m. Winner of the 1983 Brands Hatch 1000km and 1983 Can-Am at Road America – and with entries at Le Mans in ’83 and ’84 – it’s being billed as the most original of the nine surviving WEC privateer 956s.

The 956 is among Porsche’s most famous racers, drawing its performance from a 2.65-litre turbocharged flat-six making more than 630bhp. This car’s two big wins are testament to the car’s status, but other statistics include a top speed of up to 362kph on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans, and until the Porsche 919 Evo reset Porsche’s own record, the fastest ever lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a 6:11.13.

1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar

Another iconic Porsche racer, this Paris-Dakar 959 is as interesting for its recent history as it is for its purpose in period. One of three campaigned in the 1985 event, all failed to finish, with this car suffering an oil-line failure. It’s one of seven development cars – five of which are owned by Porsche – and the only complete, running car in private hands.

It’s also fitted with the correct naturally aspirated 3.2-litre Carrera engine, as unlike the road cars, the Dakar versions were not turbocharged. It retains the correct Rothmans livery, too, and has previously been on display at the Royal Automobile Club in London and has run up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the hands of Jacky Ickx. Given its provenance, the $3m-$3.4m estimate is unsurprising.

1985 Porsche 959 Prototype

Another 1985 959, this time one of 12 prototypes, of which only three or four are believed to survive. This car was number seven, primarily built for electrical system and hot-weather testing during the 959’s development.

It’s spent most of its life as a display car, as a result of its prototype status and a requirement by Porsche of the first owner that it would not be returned to the road unless it had been refurbished by the factory. It was returned to running condition in 2002 and earlier in 2018 had a comprehensive service at Porsche Centre Reading with a $32k bill. It’s offered for sale with a $1.3m-$1.6m estimate.

1980 Porsche 935 K4

It takes a lot for a car to look more dramatic than a Porsche 956 or Dakar 959, but this 750bhp Kremer 935 manages it. The second of two 935 K4s built by Kremer, RM Sotheby’s describes it as having ‘tremendous vintage racing potential’ and it’d certainly be a shame if the car never saw circuit use.

Not least as it’s also described as being as fast as a later 956 or 962, though it does require a ‘mechanical re-commissioning’ before it’s race-ready again. The car has an IMSA history, achieving a highest-place finish of 3rd in the 1982 season. It’s expected to achieve $850k-$1.1m in Atlanta.

1994 Porsche 911 (964) Speedster

Back to the road cars now, though how far you’d be prepared to take this 19,000-kilometres 911 Speedster with its $200k-$250k estimate is another matter. It’d certainly get noticed should the owner choose to enjoy it on the road, with a distinctive Guards Red-over-red colour scheme and red accents inside.

The car was bought in New York in 1993 and is well-specified, including climate control, cruise control and a limited-slip differential. It remained with the original owner for more than two decades, and its most recent service took place in December 2017. Not the most exotic car at the sale, but distinctive and doubtless interesting to drive.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight

The archetypal classic 911, and with an $875k-$1.1m estimate, a perfect representation of the incredible rise in value of classic Porsches. It’s being described as ‘possibly the finest restored example in the US’ and there’s certainly no arguing for the specification – the green and white paintwork, lightweight Sport specification and comprehensive history all make it deeply desirable.

Like many 2.7 RS 911s, it also has a racing history, despite now being presented in road-going trim. Campaigned by racer Eugen Strähl, it competed at ten events in 1974, three of which were at Hockenheim. Since then it’s changed hands a few times, with the most recent owner having it restored. The engine is matching-numbers, but the original gearbox succumbed to its period racing exploits so was replaced early on, and has since also been rebuilt.

1980 Porsche 924

To the other end of the Porsche scale now, though with an estimate of a remarkable $30k-$40k, this Porsche 924 is certainly at the upper end of non-Carrera RS versions of the nameplate. There’s no doubting the condition or originality, though, and with 17,000 kilometres from new this 924 has lived a life more like that of some of the rarer 911s on sale in Atlanta.

With a rear reflector panel between the tail lights, leather trim, early two-spoke steering wheel and a series of dealer options it’s gloriously retro, and its history is impeccable. It was meticulously looked after by its first owner and kept pristine by the second, who bought it in 2014.

1971 Porsche 914/6

Precursor to the 924, the 914 was Porsche’s previous affordable model, though the six-cylinder 914/6 was perhaps less attainable than the modestly-powered standard models. In this colour – Willow Green – it’s also very rare, believed to be only one of two ordered in this shade in the US.

Unlike many at the auction it’s been driven and enjoyed over the years, with over 191k kilometres on the clock. At around 117k – admittedly 25 years ago now – the engine was rebuilt and upgraded, expanded to 2.2-litres, fitted with Mahle pistons and rebuilt Weber carbs, with the underpinnings also improved. Since 2009 it’s also had a cosmetic restoration. The estimate of $100k-$125k is steep for a 914, but perhaps not surprising given both Porsche’s place in the market and the quality of this particular car.

2018 Porsche 911 Turbo Project Gold

If you’re looking at this car wondering why it’s listed as a 2018, you must have missed the news about Porsche building a new 993 Turbo from scratch under its Classic Series banner. Project Gold is the result, built 20 years after the original car went off sale, and aside from the level of preparation and modern techniques used in its construction and painting, it’s essentially a perfect 1998 Porsche 993 Turbo.

The let-down is that the car is not road legal as it has not been homologated for road use, and the buyer will have a fair distance to travel from the auction in Atlanta, too, as it will need to be collected from Stuttgart. On the plus side, proceeds from the auction will go towards the Ferry Porsche Foundation, dedicated to education, social issues and youth development.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/our-picks-from-the-rm-sothebys-porsche-70th-anniversary-auction/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/10/1983-porsche-956-group-c_4-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegPorsche 911 Speedster Concept revealed in production formhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/porsche-911-speedster-concept-revealed-in-production-form/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/porsche-911-speedster-concept-revealed-in-production-form/#respondTue, 02 Oct 2018 13:00:50 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=126895Celebrating its 70th birthday in style, Porsche’s new 911 Speedster is the GT3 drop top we’ve been waiting for Porsche has revealed a road-going version of its 911 Speedster Concept, celebrating the end of the current 991-generation production and its own 70thbirthday in one sleek, dramatic swoop. Looking just like the concept, it shares nearly all […]

]]>Celebrating its 70th birthday in style, Porsche’s new 911 Speedster is the GT3 drop top we’ve been waiting for

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Porsche has revealed a road-going version of its 911 Speedster Concept, celebrating the end of the current 991-generation production and its own 70thbirthday in one sleek, dramatic swoop. Looking just like the concept, it shares nearly all of that car’s modifications over a base 911, including the GT3-derived underpinnings and bespoke bodywork.

A total of 1948 units will be built, in homage to the original Porsche 356’s year of release, to close out the 991 generation 911 before the new 992 reaches showrooms next year. Unlike the Speedster models that preceded this new version, it takes a decidedly more hardcore approach, being developed by Porsche Motorsport and incorporating the aforementioned GT3’s powertrain to create an all-together more focused special edition.

Its basic body is derived from a rather more humble 991.2 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, but the windscreen is shorter and positioned at a more laid back angle, with the side glass narrower to suit. Behind the front seats is a carbon fibre ‘double bubble’ panel which covers the roll-over structure and features a plexiglass wind deflector with the words ‘70 years of Porsche’ engraved on it. The wings and the bonnet are also made from carbon fibre composite.

The old adage ‘if you’re getting wet you’re not driving fast enough’ very much applies to the Speedster for there is no roof supplied – at all. Instead, there’s simply a tonneau cover for putting into place when the vehicle is parked to stop it filling up with water. It’s a basic interior, too, with no sat nav, no audio and no air conditioning, but a pair of carbon fibre bucket seats.

Under the retro-inspired skin lies the fundamentals of a current GT3, including the 4-litre 493bhp flat-six, a six-speed manual gearbox and the full GT3-spec chassis. There’s no official weight figure yet, but with the probability of less mass and that powertrain we can expect the Speedster to be very brisk indeed. Porsche has also developed a new titanium exhaust system for the Speedster, which Porsche says helps liberate an extra few brake horsepower.

In contrast to the unashamedly retro-look of the prior concept, the Guards Red Speedster shown at the Paris show has a more contemporary look, with new 21-inch cross-spoke wheels and a simple black interior offsetting the bright exterior colour. If you were partial to the retro design of the previous concept though, Porsche will still offer a ‘Heritage Design Package’ to buyers, increasing the personalisation possibilities of an already very special Porsche.

Plenty of the concept’s detailing has also made it into production, such as the to the bonnet mounted ’50s-style fuel filler and (slightly reformed) ‘Talbot’ exterior mirrors. The cross-lamped headlights have changed though, being swapped for new darkened LED headlights, which is highly unusual for one being made in such low numbers.

Due for production in the first half of next year, it’ll be built in partnership with Porsche Exclusive, who will be responsible for the bespoke finishes and materials offered to those 1948 very lucky buyers.

Porsche’s Motorsport department has celebrated the company’s 70thanniversary with a 911 GT2 RS homage to the 935 “Moby Dick” race car of the 1970s. Revealed at Rennsport Reunion, the new 935 racer isn’t homologated for championship racing, rather the 77 examples are expected to be used in club motorsport events and at track days.

Based on the current 911 GT2 RS road car the new $813,000 935 is fitted with the same 700bhp, 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine and seven-speed PDK transmission as found in the road car. There’s even Porsche Stability Management fitted as standard along with ABS brakes.

Replacing the 911 GT2 RS’s regular steel and aluminium body is a modern day interpretation of the original Moby Dick’s extreme aerodynamic bodywork manufactured from lighter carbon fibre composites.

Inside the GT2 RS’s road car interior has been switched for something more reminiscent of a Le Mans winning RSR, with a full cage, carbon dash and bucket seats. Porsche Motorsport has even gone as far as switching the regular PDK shift lever for one made from wood, reminiscent of the 917.

Weighing 1380kg, the new 935 features an emergency escape hatch in the roof, air jacks for pit stops and an instrument display straight from a 911 RSR racer complete with data logger.

Brakes are cast-iron discs with six and four-piston callipers front to rear and a cockpit mounted adjustable bias valve. The front suspension is MacPherson struts with forged links and three-way adjustable motorsport dampers, with reinforced tie-rods. There’s a multi-link set-up at the rear. 18-inch forged centre-lock wheels, measuring 11.5 and 13-inch front to rear will be fitted with Michelin tyres.

Just 77 examples of the new 835 racer will be produced priced from $814,000 plus local taxes, with deliveries schedule for June 2019, so expect a demonstration at race the 24 Hours of Le Mans.